Baiduri Bank rounds off the year with yet another milestone when it was awarded the Best Mobile Banking App award for Brunei for the second consecutive year in the World Finance Digital Banking Awards 2021.

According to World Finance, the shift to digital was catalysed by the global pandemic. In the wake of volatile conditions caused by the health crisis, more organisations were indirectly forced to go digital or improve their digital offering.

Mr Ti Eng Hui, Chief Executive Officer of Baiduri Bank said, “We are honoured and pleased to be recognised for our efforts in improving our digital banking offerings, and winning this award is yet another step in the right direction for the bank as we continue to focus on our digital transformation and align ourselves with the nation’s ongoing digitalisation agenda.”

For 2021, in the context of Brunei specifically, Baiduri Bank introduced a new feature to the b.Digital app which allowed its customers to donate to the national fund set up to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. This was done in light of the second wave of the pandemic in the country.

Speaking on this initiative, Ti Eng Hui said, “This initiative was launched to help facilitate contributions towards the COVID-19 Relief Fund as we aim to do our part to combat the pandemic and support the Government’s efforts towards preventing its spread in addition to our other efforts.”

Among its other features, Baiduri b.Digital Personal app incorporates a unique digital security token eliminating the need for a physical PIN-generating token making Baiduri Bank the first bank in Brunei to introduce this feature. The app also incorporates optional biometric login, the ability to register and add beneficiaries directly through the app as well as value-added features such as financial calculators (Loan Calculator, Retirement Calculator and Risk Profiling Tools) to provide an enhanced customer experience.

Since the start of the year, the Baiduri b.Digital Personal platform has seen a 33% increase in the number of new sign-ups. The increased uptake can be attributed to the user-friendliness of the mobile app and its features to provide a seamless banking experience. Further elaborating on the increased uptake, “The recent pandemic has shined a light on the significance of digital banking platforms which has resulted in overall wider acceptance by the general public. The global situation has accelerated a phenomenon that was already taking place.” He highlighted the benefits such as the safety of banking from home and the instant connectivity to banking products which can take place with a simple swipe.

Throughout the year, the app has seen a 67% increase in the number of average monthly transaction on the platform compared to 2020 with a significant difference in local bank transfers which saw an increase of 203%.

Ti Eng Hui further reiterated that the introduction of Baiduri b.Digital Personal is part of a digital transformation drive and the beginning of a journey which he hopes will enhance the overall customer experience. “While the use of technology has elevated the level of quality service that we can provide, there is still a need to strike the balance between the traditional modes of banking through our branches and the convenience of banking digitally.”

Earlier this year, Baiduri Bank received six other international awards, including ‘Best Banking Group for Brunei 2021’ from World Finance.

For more information and a full list of features for Baiduri b.Digital Personal, visit the Bank’s website at www.baiduri.com. Baiduri b.Digital Personal app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store.